4th of July {part 3}

And now, fireworks!  What's the 4th without a few explosions, right?  While it's not my most favorite part of the holiday, I do love that we get the best show in the area right in our backyard.  Thanks Norm - you really do make the 4th pretty memorable!

 the welty's came back this year to watch the show - but not without ear protection and a glass of milk

xoxo,
stephanie marie

4th of July {part 2}

The rest of the afternoon we spent like any other 4th - lounging around by the water, taking jello shots, and eating until we couldn't move.  While tradition remained the same {the singing of God Bless America, our annual girls pic by the water, and lots of s'mores as the sun went down}, we also spent lots of time on the rocks below teaching the kids the joys of being by the water.  I'm so happy to share this holiday with even more people this year {estimates are we fed close to 70!}, and hoping they keep coming back for more.

 always my favorite pic

 paparazzi 

 baby luca's first 4th on the island - he said it was his fave ever :)

 with my cali girls - suze & michelle

 oyster nacho masters!

 sliding down the dock is so exciting!

 

 ash & zelda having a moment

 jello shots for the win - thanks mads!

 finishing off the jello shots with kim

 teaching trygve how to roast marshmallows - i think he was more interested in eating them than actually roasting them, but i tried

Tomorrow - fireworks!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

4th of July {part 1}

 

Once again, the 4th of July on Samish Island did not disappoint.  The rains held off, we welcomed lots of newbies to the celebration, and oyster nachos may have just been the best ever.  We were overrun with little ones this year {when did everyone start having babies??}, and it was fun to show them the ropes - even the tiniest ones seemed pretty mesmerized by the parade and ongoing fireworks.  This is my most favorite tradition of the year, and I couldn't imagine spending this day anywhere else in the world :)

 the regal Zelda

 this cutie's first parade!

 the bach's

 the parade was missing exotic animals, but had tons of cool cars & trucks

 linnea loved the show

 no parade is complete without the band

 lila made out like a bandit on the other side of the road - luckily, she shared her candy ;)

this years' crew

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Griffin!

Happy 11th Birthday {what?!?!?!} to the sweetest boy I know.  Griffin - you are my absolute favorite little person, and I remember your first birthday {above} like it was yesterday.  I wish I could hang out with you everyday and watch you grow into the coolest little man, which I know you're becoming.  I hope you have the most awesome birthday filled with Superheroes, Legos, and lots of fun.  Auntie Stephie loves you, little guy!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Funfetti Sugar Cookies

This week I got to spend time with two very special little guys - first, dinner with Ryley, then a quick visit to meet Luke, Lizzie & Nick's insanely adorable little 4 week old.  I wanted to make something extra special for both of them, and I've been craving cookies, so I decided to make these Funfetti Sugar Cookies I've had pinned for awhile.  I'm not quite the baker, so it took me a little trial and error {and a call to mom} to learn that I should only put 6 cookies on a sheet at once {not 12 as recommended}, unless I want just one giant pan cookie {see below}.  You can thank all the butter for making these cookies spread like crazy, but that's also what makes them insanely delicious {seriously, when I opened the bag the next morning all I could smell was butter}.  The sprinkles add a little fun to the normal sugar cookie and could be customized for any holiday or theme.  The cookies were extra chewy and addictive, as evident by Ryley's chanting of "cookie cookie" after taking just one bite.  I'd highly recommend whipping these up for your next baking day, and I'll happily come taste test them for you :)

Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup non pareils rainbow sprinkles

Instructions
1. Cream together butter and sugar with a mixer.  Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing, scraping down the sides of the bowl.  Add flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, and mix on low until everything is combined.  Add sprinkles and mix.
2. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 2 hours {very important!}.  
3. Preheat oven to 350.
4.  Scoop out about about 2 Tblsp of dough and roll into a ball.  Place 6-9 balls of dough each on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and chill  for another 15 minutes {this prevents the cookies from spreading too much}.
5. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are just slightly golden.  Remove from oven and let rest on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack.

makes 36 cookies

adapted from cupcakes and cashmere

 fail!

xoxo,
stephanie marie